Give the World's Best Dad the day he deserves with one of these Father's Day menu ideas. Whether he's into breakfast, brunch, sports, grilling or gathering up the whole gang, dad will know he's number one.
5 Menus for the Perfect Father’s Day Meal
Updated on Sep. 19, 2024
Father’s Day Brunch
Is your pop an early bird? Then make your big Father’s Day meal breakfast or brunch. Wake up early and fire up the griddle for flapjacks and eggs. Make sure to have plenty of coffee and espresso on hand along with morning sippers like mimosas and Bloody Marys.
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Roadside Diner Cheeseburger Quiche
Total Time
1 hour 10 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My savory main-dish quiche tastes just like its burger counterpart. Easy and appealing, this cheeseburger quiche is pretty enough to serve guests. —Barbara J. Miller, Oakdale, Minnesota
Breakfast, meet cheeseburger! This quiche takes the burger flavors everyone loves and scrambles them up with eggs. Serve slices with a little pickle relish or ketchup.
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Cornflake-Coated Crispy Bacon
Total Time
45 min
Servings
9 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I've loved my aunt's crispy-coated bacon ever since I was a child. Now I've shared the super simple recipe with my own children. We still enjoy a big panful every Christmas morning—and on many other days throughout the year! —Brenda Severson, Norman, Oklahoma
Take bacon to the next level by coating it with, yep, breakfast cereal! The result is sweet, salty and crunchy—all the best ways to start the day.
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Bloody Mary
Total Time
10 min
Servings
1 serving
From the Recipe Creator:
Horseradish makes this the best Bloody Mary recipe we've tasted. Without the horseradish, you'll have a more traditional Bloody Mary, and without the alcohol, you'll have a Virgin Mary. Serve with a stalk of celery, dill pickle spear or olives. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Bloody Marys are a classic brunch cocktail. This version has an extra kick thanks to a bit of horseradish. If you’re having a lot of guests over for a Father’s Day meal, create a Bloody Mary bar at home.
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Corned Beef Hash and Eggs
Total Time
35 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Sunday breakfasts have always been special in our house. It's fun to get in the kitchen and cook with the kids. No matter how many new recipes we try, the kids always rate this No. 1! —Rick Skildum, Maple Grove, Minnesota
For a casual start to Father’s Day, start with a one-dish breakfast. All you need to make this corned beef hash is a cast-iron skillet.
Fried Chicken Lunch
No one can resist the appeal of crispy fried chicken—not even dads. Celebrate Father’s Day with homemade fried chicken and plenty of extras. You can even make copycat KFC coleslaw to go with your drumsticks. When the meal is done, finish up with southern favorites like banana pudding or buttermilk cake.
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Crispy Fried Chicken
Total Time
30 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Always a picnic favorite, this deep-fried chicken recipe is delicious either hot or cold. Kids call it my Kentucky Fried Chicken! —Jeanne Schnitzler, Lima, Montana
Take a few fried chicken tips from the pros and get frying for Dad’s big day. The results are crispy, crunchy and so delicious.
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Frito Corn Salad
Total Time
10 min
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This Frito corn salad is always requested by friends and family! Super easy and great alongside just about any main course. Quick tip: Wait on adding Fritos until you're about to serve, as they tend to get soggy after a few hours. —Mandy McKinnon, North Canton, Ohio
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Three-Bean Baked Beans
Total Time
1 hour 20 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I got this recipe from my aunt and made a couple of changes to suit my taste. With ground beef and bacon mixed in, these satisfying beans are a big hit at backyard barbecues and church picnics. I'm always asked to bring my special beans. —Julie Currington, Gahanna, Ohio
With ground beef and bacon mixed in, these satisfying beans are a big hit at backyard barbecues, church picnics and at Father’s Day celebrations.
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Summer Orzo
Total Time
30 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I’m always looking for fun ways to use the fresh veggies that come in my Community Supported Agriculture box, and this summer orzo salad is one of my favorite creations. I like to improvise with whatever I have on hand, so feel free to do the same here! —Shayna Marmar, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Use up some of summer’s best veggies with this fresh take on pasta salad. Use what you have growing in the garden or take a stroll through the farmers market for inspiration.
BBQ Rib Bash
You’d be hard-pressed to find a dad that doesn’t enjoy ribs. Make these the star of this year’s Father’s Day meal. Serve these up with plenty of sides including other flame-grilled favorites like corn on the cob and grilled veggies.
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Easy Grilled Corn with Chipotle-Lime Butter
Total Time
30 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Grilling corn in the husks is so easy. There's no need to remove the silk and tie the husk closed before grilling. Just soak, grill and add your favorite flavored butter. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Grilled corn just screams summer. Toss a few cobs on the grill and top with chipotle-lime butter for a next-level touch. If chipotle isn’t for you, try these other easy-to-make flavored butters.
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Big John’s Chili-Rubbed Ribs
Total Time
1 hour 50 min
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
When my family thinks of summer grilling, it's ribs all the way. Our Asian-inspired recipe is a welcome change from the usual barbecue-sauce versions. —Ginger Sullivan, Cutler Bay, Florida
This Asian-inspired rib recipe is a nice change of pace from classic rib recipes. If you want, swap out the homemade sauce for your go-to bottled version.
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Lemony Fruit Cooler
Total Time
10 min
Servings
10 servings (2-1/2 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
This punch looks so pretty with all the colorful fruit floating in the bowl. It has a refreshing taste and is easy to put together. —Dawn Shackelford, Fort Worth, Texas
Mix up a refreshing fruit punch to serve along with a Father’s Day meal. If you want a little kick, add a splash of vodka.
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Classic Wilted Lettuce Salad
Total Time
15 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
When we were kids, my sister and I would prepare the freshly picked lettuce for this wilted lettuce salad recipe, rinsing it several times and carefully drying it. As we did so, we quibbled about the portions we'd each have. Somehow, it seems she always managed to get more! We still can't get enough of this salad. —Doris Natvig, Jesup, Iowa
A green salad is always welcome with a rich dinner. This one takes just minutes to assemble so you have more time to spend with Pop.
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Easy Macaroni Salad
Total Time
15 min
Servings
34 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This hearty pasta salad is sure to please appetites of all ages—and it serves a lot of folks! —LaVerna Mjones, Moorhead, Minnesota
Pizza-Palooza
If a pizza oven is on Dad’s Father’s Day wish list, he’ll love a Father’s Day meal with pizza as the star. Start by making your own pizza dough. Then top with plenty of gooey cheese and all kinds of toppings. Finish up dinner with homemade limoncello or tiramisu.
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The Best Sausage Pizzas
Total Time
45 min
Servings
2 pizzas (8 servings each)
From the Recipe Creator:
What makes this recipe unique is the slow overnight fermentation of the dough. The flour has time to hydrate and relax, which makes the dough so much easier to roll out! —Josh Rink, Taste of Home Food Stylist
Start with a great pizza dough and top it with plenty of fresh mozzarella and spicy Italian sausage. This will be a hit with every dad.
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Garlic Bread
Total Time
20 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Ever wonder how to make garlic bread? This homemade garlic bread is the answer! Minced fresh garlic is key to these flavor-packed crusty slices, which our big family would snap up before they even had a chance to cool. —Grace Yaskovic, Branchville, New Jersey
While a Father’s Day meal of just pizza is great, we think homemade garlic bread can take this dinner to the next level.
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Loaded Mexican Pizza
Total Time
30 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My husband is a picky eater, but this healthful Mexican-style pizza has such amazing flavor that he actually looks forward to it. Leftovers taste even better the next day. —Mary Barker, Knoxville, Tennessee
Switch up the pizza toppings for Dad’s Day dinner. This recipe uses Mexican toppings like jalapeños and cilantro.
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Limoncello Cream Pie
Total Time
20 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
After a big Christmas dinner, we love the cool refreshment of a frozen lemon pie. Limoncello brings a little sophistication to each smooth, creamy slice. —Jessie Grearson-Sapat, Falmouth, Maine
A June day requires a cool dessert. This limoncello pie is a great way to finish up a pizza dinner, though you can take inspiration from these other Italian desserts too.
BYOB (Build Your Own Burger)
We know that many dads can’t resist firing up the grill—even on days when they should be taking it easy. Let dad flip a few burgers if he can’t resist the call of the grill. Be sure to stock up on some extras like next-level condiments and top-notch cheeses. Earn a few extra points with Dad when you make your own burger buns.
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Papa Burger
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
When whipping up something for Father’s Day or the Fourth of July, I go big and tall with this fully loaded, juicy yumburger. —Chase Bailey, Costa Mesa, California
Is any Father’s Day meal complete without an aptly named recipe? Enter the Papa Burger piled high with the works. You can even serve it with copycat McDonald’s special sauce.
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Air-Fryer Potato Chips
Total Time
50 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
For Christmas one year, I received an air fryer. Potato chips are simple to make in it and are an essential, crispy side for lunch. —Melissa Obernesser, Oriskany, New York
Let Dad show off his air fryer skills with homemade potato chips. Trust us: These are worth the extra effort (though a mandoline makes the slicing go fast).
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Smash Burgers
Total Time
15 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Now is not the time to cut the calories or skimp on the salt. Go for ground chuck that is at least 80/20. If you can find a blend with ground brisket or short rib, all the better. The best burger comes with being liberal with the kosher salt—it's beef's best friend, trust me. — James Schend, Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin
A Smash burger is exactly what you think it is; balls of ground beef smashed onto a hot griddle. You’ll want to smash them pretty thin so they cook quickly, but it also gets you those crispy, browned edges while still keeping the interior nice and juicy.
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Bread and Butter Pickles
Total Time
45 min
Servings
7 pints
From the Recipe Creator:
My mom always made this crisp bread and butter pickle recipe when we were kids, and she gave me the recipe. They're pleasantly tart and so good. Now I make bread and butter pickles for my own kids all of the time! —Karen Owen, Rising Sun, Indiana
Top your grilled burgers with homemade pickles. If bread and butter aren’t Dad’s thing, try these other types of pickles.
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Icebox Cake
Total Time
15 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
You don't have to bake to serve a wonderful dessert! This icebox cake is made from chocolate wafers and whipping cream. It is so delicious.—Cindy Hawkins, New York, New York
After spending all day outside celebrating Dad, take a break from the sun and enjoy an ice-cold icebox cake. This one is no-fuss and sure to please every chocolate fanatic. Here are more Father’s Day cake ideas.
Chicken Wing Extravaganza
If your pop is the kind of guy that lives for game day, transform your Father’s Day meal into a tailgate-style feast. That means tons of wings, plenty of hot sauce and maybe a few cold beers.
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Buffalo Chicken Wings
Total Time
25 min
Servings
about 4 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Hot wings got their start in Buffalo, New York, in a kitchen. Although there was no game on at the time, today spicy wings and cool sauces are traditional game-day fare. Cayenne, red sauce and spices keep these tangy Buffalo chicken wings good and hot, just like the originals. —Nancy Chapman, Center Harbor, New Hampshire
Buffalo wings are the classic hot wing. Serve these with some celery sticks and cool dipping sauces. And if you can’t get enough buffalo chicken, try this buffalo chicken dip at your next summer soiree.
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Sticky Maple Pepper Glazed Chicken Wings
Total Time
1 hour 5 min
Servings
about 40 pieces
From the Recipe Creator:
This is one of my favorite appetizers to make over the holidays! The coarse ground pepper cuts the sweetness of the maple syrup by adding just the right amount of heat. These chicken wings are best fresh out of the oven (they are nice and crispy), but they are also delicious if made ahead and kept warm in a slow cooker. —Shannon Dobos, Calgary, Alberta
The coarse ground pepper cuts the sweetness of the maple syrup by adding just the right amount of heat. These chicken wings are best fresh out of the oven (they are nice and crispy), but they are also delicious if made ahead and kept warm in a slow cooker.
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Homemade Ranch Dressing
Total Time
10 min
Servings
1 cup
From the Recipe Creator:
Why buy bottled ranch when this homemade ranch dressing recipe is so easy to make—and tastes so much better! Fresh chives are a colorful addition if you have them on hand. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Why buy bottled ranch when this homemade ranch dressing recipe is so easy to make—and tastes so much better! Fresh chives are a colorful addition if you have them on hand. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
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Blue Cheese Dressing
Total Time
10 min
Servings
2 cups
From the Recipe Creator:
My mother-in-law gave me this homemade blue cheese dressing over 30 years ago. It’s a delicious salad dressing, but we also like it as a dip with corn chips. —Sharon McClatchey, Muskogee, Oklahoma
Taco Night
Don’t wait for Tuesday for taco night! Tacos and other Mexican favorites make for a great Father’s Day meal. Serve up salsa and queso as an appetizer while the taco fillings cook.
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Slow-Cooker Beef Barbacoa
Total Time
6 hours 20 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I love this beef barbacoa because the meat is fall-apart tender and the sauce is smoky, slightly spicy and so flavorful. It’s an amazing alternative to ground beef tacos or even pulled pork carnitas. It’s also versatile. You can have a soft taco bar and let people make their own—or offer mouthwatering Mexican pizzas or rice bowls. —Holly Sander, Lake Mary, Florida
Want beef barbacoa made easy? This recipe uses a slow cooker so you can have hands-off prep while you enjoy playing a few yard games with Dad.
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Spicy Taco Meat
Total Time
6 hours 20 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My husband and I love Tex-Mex food with all the fixings. Cooking the meat in the slow cooker makes prepping the toppings a breeze. We love to make this for parties, keeping the filling warm in the slow cooker and serving the various toppings in bowls so the guests can build their own! —Rebecca Yankovich, Springfield, Virginia
Love a little kick in your tortilla? This recipe gets a kick thanks to plenty of jalapeños and some chili powder. Use leftovers the next day to make quesadillas or nachos.
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Guacamole
Total Time
10 min
Servings
about 1-1/2 cups
From the Recipe Creator:
This is one of our favorite spicy snack food recipes, and it's quick and easy to prepare when friends drop by on short notice. It also makes a great side dish for a complete southwestern-style meal. Mild or sweet peppers can be substituted for the chiles for those who like their guacamole a little less spicy. —Anne Tipps, Duncanville, Texas
Enjoy homemade guacamole at a taco-inspired Father’s Day meal. Serve this creamy dip atop tacos or use it as a dip with tortilla chips. If you have leftovers (we don’t think you will!), here’s how to keep guacamole from going brown.
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Fish Tacos
Total Time
50 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
A cool sauce with just a bit of zing tops these breaded fish tacos (that are actually healthy!). This recipe is a delicious guilt-free dish that doesn't break the bank. —Lena Lim, Seattle, Washington
A cool sauce with just a bit of zing tops these breaded fish tacos. Feel like you’re at your favorite Mexican joint when you serve these along with margaritas.
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Fried Ice Cream Dessert Bars
Total Time
50 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Fried ice cream is such a delicious treat, but it can be a hassle to make individual servings. This recipe gives you the same fabulous flavor in an easy and convenient bar form. —Andrea Price, Grafton, Wisconsin
Fried ice cream is such a delicious treat, but it can be a hassle to make individual servings. This recipe gives you the same fabulous flavor in an easy and convenient bar form. It’s the perfect end to a taco dinner.
Sundae Smorgasbord
If your dad has a sweet tooth, add a sundae bar to your Father’s Day celebration. This frozen treat buffet should include pints of Dad’s favorite ice cream and toppings galore. Because it’s a big day, make sure you make a few things from scratch, like homemade whipped cream and chocolate sauce. Don’t skimp on the sprinkles either!
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Rich Hot Fudge Sauce
Total Time
30 min
Servings
3-1/2 cups
From the Recipe Creator:
I've made this scrumptious topping since the early 1980s. It always turns out smooth and yummy. The dark chocolate flavor, with a hint of rum extract, is not overly sweet but will still satisfy a chocoholic's cravings. —Carol Hanihan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
There’s nothing better than hot fudge drizzled over ice cream (or gelato or froyo).
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Homemade Strawberry Ice Cream
Total Time
40 min
Servings
12 servings (about 1-1/2 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
This creamy, luscious ice cream will remind you of the signature treat served at church ice cream socials. What dessert could be better? —Esther Johnson, Merrill, Wisconsin—Esther Johnson, Merrill, Wisconsin
While there’s nothing wrong with cracking open a pint of Pop’s favorite Ben & Jerry’s flavor, you can take Father’s Day to the next level with homemade ice cream. This strawberry ice cream is so easy to make with a good countertop ice cream maker.
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Contest-Winning Butter Pecan Ice Cream
Total Time
1 hour 5 min
Servings
1 quart
From the Recipe Creator:
This rich, buttery ice cream sure beats store-bought versions. And with its pretty color and plentiful pecan crunch, it's nice enough to serve toguests at a summer party. —Jenny White, Glen, Mississippi
Watch Dad go nuts over this homemade butter pecan ice cream. For best results, toast the pecans first for even more flavor.
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Salted Caramel Sauce
Total Time
20 min
Servings
1-1/4 cups
From the Recipe Creator:
Rich and delicious, this salted caramel sauce is the perfect blend of sweet, salty and creamy all in one. I like to make a big batch and refrigerate it for up to 2 weeks. —Angie Stewart, Memphis, Tennessee
Rich and delicious, this salted caramel sauce is the perfect blend of sweet, salty and creamy all in one. You can make this homemade ice cream topping and keep it in the fridge for up to two weeks.
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All-American Banana Split
Total Time
5 min
Servings
1 serving
From the Recipe Creator:
In 1904, the first banana split recipe was made here in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, by David Strickler, an apprentice pharmacist at a local drugstore. We still use his original formula when we make banana splits in our restaurants. —Melissa Blystone, Latrobe, Pennsylvania
In 1904, the first banana split recipe was made in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, by David Strickler, an apprentice pharmacist at a local drug store. Have Dad re-create this over-the-top sundae after a good Father’s Day meal.
